If you get a text claiming you owe money for unpaid tolls or parking tickets, it’s probably a scam, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
The scam text includes an official‑looking court document claiming that the recipient owes unpaid tolls or parking fines and must pay immediately or appear in court. The document also includes a QR code directing people to a payment website. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office warns that the document is fake and not connected to Ohio’s court system.
No stranger to text scams, Ohio had the highest rate of unwanted calls and texts in the nation in 2024, with 859 complaints to the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission per 100,000 residents. In the first half of 2025 alone, Ohioans filed more than 12,000 imposter‑scam reports involving government or business impersonators, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce.
“Scammers rely on fear and urgency,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement. “If you receive a message threatening court action or demanding immediate payment, take a moment to verify it before responding.”
Here’s what to know about the latest scam and how to protect yourself.
Ohio Attorney General’s Office warns of scams claiming unpaid parking, toll fines
The fraudulent message directs recipients to a website, which the agency says is connected to overseas entities. The office also warns that scanning a scammer‑generated QR code can expose your phone or device to malware or other security threats.
“Scammers often mimic government documents to gain trust,” Yost warns. He added that while some details on the document may appear convincing, others may be incorrect or inconsistent with legitimate court communications.
Be mindful of parking or toll claims that don’t align with where you live. For example, there are no toll roads in Columbus, though some scams targeted at Franklin County residents ask for unpaid tolls, The Columbus Dispatch reports.
How to avoid parking and toll scams
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office provided tips to prevent falling for these scams:
How to report fake Ohio parking ticket, toll scams
If you receive a scam notice, file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section at www.OhioProtects.org or by calling 800‑282‑0515.
How to report spam text messages
The Federal Trade Commission says that there are multiple ways to report unwanted text messages:
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Got a text about unpaid tolls in Ohio? It’s likely a scam. What to know
Reporting by Alex Perry, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
